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RU search: Jordan withdraws, Skinner enters

A favorite son will not be coming home to resuscitate the Rutgers men’s basketball program, but a new name has entered the mix of potential replacements for Fred Hill.

Eddie Jordan, the Scarlet Knights legend who ran the point on the 1976 Final Four team, withdrew his name from consideration on Tuesday. A source close to the program said Jordan, who was fired by the Philadelphia 76ers earlier this month, wants to continue coaching in the NBA.

Meanwhile former Boston College coach Al Skinner has moved onto the radar of Rutgers athletics director Tim Pernetti. According to a source with knowledge of the process, Duke coach Mike Krzyzewski called Pernetti late last week to recommend Skinner, who was fired by Boston College on March 30 after 13 mostly successful seasons there.

Skinner, 57, went 247-165 with seven NCAA Tournament berths and three Big East Conference titles at Boston College, where he was the winningest coach in program history.

He is one of three candidates getting interviewed this week, joining former St. John’s coach and television analyst Fran Fraschilla and Robert Morris coach Mike Rice. Fraschilla and Rice are considered to be the frontrunners at this point. Temple coach Fran Dunphy remains a candidate but his interest level is not known.

Another candidate, Dayton coach Brian Gregory, told the Dayton Daily News on Monday that he was not interested in the job.

Jordan was scheduled to be interviewed by Pernetti on Thursday.

His return to the banks would have made for a nostalgic story line. Jordan was the 1976 East Regional MVP and remains the program’s career leader in assists and steals. He went on to average 8.1 points per game in seven NBA seasons and then served two tours of duty on the Scarlet Knights’ coaching staff, first as a volunteer and later as a full assistant, before making the leap to the professional ranks in 1994.

In three head-coaching stints, Jordan posted a record of 257-353 for a .412 winning percentage.

24 thoughts on “RU search: Jordan withdraws, Skinner enters”

I would venture to guess that two things may have played a role here ...

1. He has been @ loose ends since the end of the NBA season for the 76'ers and while Rutgers was dawdling with Faux Pax Freddie, he got feelers from other NBA teams ...

2. Jordan realized that he has a marvelous reputation @ Rutgers which could be irreparably tarnished because Rutgers is going nowhere soon since only "B" & "C" recruits are left ... and maybe AAU & CYO kids !!!

3) LOL---"administrative prowess"--RU for real? Pernetti built and sold a sports network for more money than you and all your ancestors combined can ever make. Of course, there are NO worries about a dork like you fathering any future generations.

(You're usually good for at least one or two laughers in your otherwise soporific drivel.)

I tried to tell you guys- no name coach is interested, and the fact that Jordan has spurned the job doesn't bode well for any "name" coaches that might remain. Rice would be a very good hire, and I don't think Fraschilla would do it.

Hate to say it, but if Fraschilla says no, it sorta means that I was right all along....

What in the world does Coach K have to do with Skinner & RU to call on his behalf, other then coaching in the same league for a few years? Skinner never worked for him (at least that I know of). If Pitino called (like he called SHU), I can see the connection (even though a stretch). Maybe Coach K and Skinner are neighbors and have family BBQ's in the summer. Makes no sense.

Is there no Knight in shining armor just over the Hill? Has the cellphone age left us without a booth for a super hero to make a rapid change? Can we ever hope for RU cagers to be honored with Empire State Building lights shining red? Will the Knightmares ever end? The quest to find the yellow brick road has been littered so many times, one has to wonder. But in the words of the Old Philosopher, "Never give up!"

Jerry Jerry Jerry
we meet again…Was that Rice I saw on Campus yesterday as I going to teach my class. Guy has it jerry…the guy has it Jerry – u have the power. Skinner? my god that would be a mistake. While U and Pernetti are out trying to get a “name” coach. Rice is out getting a top 100 recruit for his NEC team LAST WEEK JERRY #87 http://www.prlog.org/10469009-jerome-hunter-ranked-87-in-the-country.html

You can always pay the Empire State building again like you did the last time (great use of taxpayer money, btw). New York doesn't even know RU exists and unless that check came through you can bet there was no way the lights would be red for RU.

bootrut-Did I mistake you for a SHU head? Your jealous rant of the Scarlet-lit Empire St Building sounds awfully the the crying SJU fans 3 1/2 years ago. Did SJU pay for Empire St red lighting way back in the Chris Mullin days?? Please forward copies of the bill that NJ taxpayers paid. Thanks.

Jerry,
if there is any way RU could convince Dunphy to leave Philly and head to Piscataway it would be a miracle. The guy is winner and probably one of the most underrated coaches in the country. He has won at Penn and brought Temple back.
Not sure why he would ever leave Temple for Rutgers but this would be a slam dunk hire.

Any credence to the gossip that Fast Eddie withdrew his name when he has told by Pernetti that he was to be one of a few interviews this week and became insulted that he was placed on the same level as candidate Rice? Word has it that Jordan felt that he should have been offered the job outright.

Looks like this search is going longer than we originally thought---definitely into the weekend.

Dunphy is the obvious slam dunk and if Pernetti can lure him north he ough to quit his job and run for high political office.

BB, Coach K and Skinner probably are friends or friendly acquaintences. Why not? The coaching fraternity is smaller than you think.

Kent, you scare me. Do you have stockpiles of canned goods in your basement?

Old School, I don't believe that rumor. Eddie Jordan has been around long enough to know that coaching searches include interviews with several candidates, unless Bob Mulcahy is running the search of course. Jordan just wants to remain in The League. Maybe the thought of recruiting (a very difficult and dirty business) gave him pause? At least he made up his mind before Rutgers had the chance to offer him.

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About the Author

Jerry Carino has covered sports for the Gannett New Jersey newspapers since 1996 and has been on the college basketball beat since 2003. A native of Old Bridge, he also teaches journalism at Kean University.Email Jerry.